I can't reach (far enough) for the opposite side either. One strong and desperate "butterfly kick" gets me inside the cockpit—and I need a "new" knee.Thanks John I am looking at buying a ski rope and cutting to a length that will give me the correct leverage. I need a way to keep the boat flat while entering. I almost make it in but cannot grab the opposite side of entry and the boat tips over until I release and go back in the water. Hoping someone will share a method or two or I'm going to have to sell her and find something else. Sad
Good idea. Check out this video, see how it "worrrks" in Scotland:Try attaching a paddle float that kayakers use to your boarding rope, that will give you a little extra buoyancy on your boarding side.
Been there—done that...I don't know if these ideas will work, but pls be careful when tying ropes that your foot could get tangled in .That would be extremely dangerous.
I tried 10ft rope with loose bowline around top of center board. On capsize the other end of rope fell in the water so I was able to tie a loop on that end at about knee height.now pith push of leg and pull I scrambled on board like a beached whale.I am 80yrs old and 225 lbsHere's how I added a crotch strap to my favorite PFD.
Removed a wide strap from a discarded PFD, glued it up the back to over the seam. (Contact cement worked the best of the two adhesives used). Wrapping the strap over the top seam, I riveted a wide (fabric) pop-rivet with a leather buffer and zinc washer.
The front of the PFD got the same treatment, attaching the strap to the inside right corner of the PFD.
If I had it to do over, I'd move the buckle location closer to the front. Here's the finished (but yet-untested) product, hanging upside-down.
As for the "starter-cord" handle or a wooden grip-handle, I'd use polypropylene line (it floats), and attach it high to the front bulkhead of the cockpit. It should "float to hand" when it's needed.
L&VW
Just as I tossed a second PFD into my Sunfish yesterday, another thought...
It seems it would help (some) to put a foot into that spare PFD, and use the buoyancy from both vests to climb back in?
Share a picture pls